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Sky Villa Penthouse at Kata Rocks

New Year's Escapes—At the Last Minute

There's still a chance to get out of Hong Kong. Here are our top five getaways you can still take advantage of.

HotelQuickly
If you’re prepared to leave it until the 11th hour (literally), and consider pretty much any destination in the Asia-Pacific region, last-minute hotel booking app HotelQuickly might be your best bet. The free app offers discounted rooms in three- to five-star quality hotels in Asia. It’s all done through the app itself: Customers can browse hotels and get tips on things to see and do nearby. For New Year the booking period will begin at 8am on December 31—good for a last-minute staycation, perhaps? Cities include Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Kenting and Singapore. Prices range from city to city: They’re typically $1,000-$3,000 in Hong Kong, $200-$1,000 in Thailand and $500-$2,000 in Taipei and Singapore.

Mövenpick Hotel
Fancy a big fat 30 percent off your New Year break? That’s the deal on stays at the Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island and Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi. Mactan in Cebu is an ideal warm winter getaway location for this New Year’s Eve, with ocean views and a private white sandy beach, as well as some of the country’s best dive sites. Prices start at $1,007 per night. Meanwhile Hanoi, a 1.5 hour flight from Hong Kong, is a fascinating city of history, culture and amazingly cheap beer. The Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi is in the central business district and close to the city center, making it ideal for a new year’s exploration of the Vietnamese capital. Prices start at $806 per night. Mövenpick Mactan Island Cebu, The Philippines, (+63) 32-492-7777; Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi, 83A Ly Thuong Kiet St., Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam, (+84) 4-3822-2800.

Belmond Napasai
While they don’t have specific New Year deals, the Belmond Napasai in Koh Samui is offering an all-inclusive “luxury treat” package that covers the festive period. As well as breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, it includes unlimited booze (selected drinks) and a daily choice of activity: yoga, sailing, cookery classes, scooter rental and more, so you can sweat out all that booze. Sea view villas start at $4,000 per night, while beach villa suites start at $5,500. 65/10 Baan Tai, Maenam, Koh Samui, Thailand, (+66) 7742-9200.

Kata Rocks
Heading all the way out to Phuket for a Havana-themed party on New Year’s Eve? Sounds good, and Kata Rocks’ accommodation—“sky villas” each with its own infinity-pool—look pretty special as well. Along with great food and poolside restaurant and bar, the resort features a luxury spa and fitness center. (The passion fruit mojito is a must, apparently). The party itself is $2,155, including food, drinks and a bottle of champagne. One-bedroom Ocean Loft, $15,298 per night; four-bedroom Sky Villa, $133,537 per night, both until Jan 5. 186/22, Kok Tanode Rd., Kata Beach, Phuket.

Flight Centre
Flight Centre has picked out a small selection of New Year’s getaways. For the following you must fly out on either December 30 or 31.
—Hua Hin: Return economy airfare to Bangkok, three nights at Anantara Resort Hua Hin (premium garden view room), breakfast, return airport transfers; New Year’s Eve gala dinner. From $10,999 per person.
—Langkawi: Return economy airfare to Langkawi, three nights at Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, daily breakfast, return airport transfers, New Year’s Eve gala dinner. From $10,299 per person.
—Maldives: Return economy airfare to Maldives, four nights at Six Senses Laamu, daily breakfast, return airport transfers by domestic flight and speedboat. From $45,699 per person (ouch).

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